Nearly 90,000 monthly visits by our social care workers: How the Ukrainian Red Cross supports those left alone

As a result of the full-scale war, millions of Ukrainians have experienced forced separation from their loved ones. Many people have been left to face daily challenges on their own, as family members have gone to defend Ukraine or have been forced to seek safety in other regions or abroad.

In response to these challenges, the Ukrainian Red Cross continues to support those who need it most. One of the key areas of this work is the Home-Based Care programme, through which social workers provide regular care for older people and people with disabilities who are unable to meet their daily needs independently.

Each month, Ukrainian Red Cross social workers make nearly 90,000 visits to beneficiaries. This programme is an example of systematic support for the most vulnerable groups, combining practical assistance with critically important emotional support.

Currently, 1,230 social workers support 7,323 beneficiaries with grocery and medicine purchases, meal preparation, cleaning, personal hygiene assistance, accompaniment to medical appointments, and other daily tasks.

At the same time, human connection remains a vital part of this work. Attention and genuine support help people feel less alone, restoring a sense of safety, warmth, and care.

“We strive to be where the greatest need is. The Home-Based Care programme continues to expand. We identify different groups of people and assign social workers accordingly,” says Zoia Pogorila, Head of the Home-Based Care and Active Longevity Sector of the Long-Term Care Unit at the Ukrainian Red Cross.

The Home-Based Care programme currently operates across 23 regions of Ukraine. The highest number of beneficiaries is in the Chernihiv region, where 433 people are supported by 60 social care workers.

It is through these daily visits, everyday tasks, and genuine care that the Ukrainian Red Cross fulfils its wider mission — standing by those who need it most.